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Nation’s largest black film fest to open in L.A.

WAVE NEWSPAPERS — The nation’s largest black film festival kicks off in South L.A.

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By John W. Davis

LOS ANGELES – The nation’s largest black film festival kicks off in South L.A. this week as thousands of art, film and music buffs flock to Southern California to celebrate and explore African-American life, history and culture.

From Feb. 7-18, more than 170 films from 40 countries in 26 languages will be screened at the Pan African Film & Arts Festival, all focused on exploring narratives that increase cultural awareness and bridge diverse communities from the African diaspora, festival organizers said.

The annual festival, co-founded by award-winning actor Danny Glover, is the largest event of its kind dedicated to film, art, music and creative expression by black people, organizers said.

“It’s been a privilege to be a platform for many filmmakers and talent to share their unique stories through the lens of their own experiences, visions and creative artistry,” said Ayuko Babu, the festival’s executive director and co-founder.

“Amazing Grace,” a 1972 documentary featuring Aretha Franklin and her L.A.-based recording of a gospel album, is the festival’s opening night film on Feb. 7. “Little Woods,” a modern-day Western starring Tessa Thompson, is the centerpiece film on Feb. 13. The closing night film on Feb. 17 has yet to be announced.

Other feature films include: “Where Hands Touch,” a romance film starring Amandla Stenberg; “Buffalo Soldiers: A Quest for Freedom,” directed by the Isabelle Brothers; and “Ali’s Comeback: The Untold Story,” which reveals behind-the-scenes efforts to get Muhammad Ali reinstated into boxing after he refused induction into the U.S. Army.

Babu said the festival’s goal is not only to celebrate black culture, but also to provide a creative space for the development and expression of black storylines through film, poetry, art and music. It also is intended to help show movie distributors the popularity and potential profitability of black narratives.

“The ongoing challenge is … whose story gets told on the small screen and big screen?” he said. “The Pan African Film Festival is a way of showing distributors the stories that matter to people of color.”

In the festival’s 26-year history, scores of filmmakers or celebrities have appeared or contributed works, organizers said, including Denzel Washington, Kevin Hart, Taraji P. Henson, Ava Duvernay, Jamie Foxx, Will Packer and Ryan Coogler, among many others.

This year’s celebrity guests include Bobby Brown, Danny Glover, Erica Campbell, Kelly Price, Laurence Fishburne, LA Reid, Loretta Devine, Nate Parker, Terrence J, and Tyrese, among others.

Held at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, the festival also will feature industry-related panel discussions and speakers. The festival’s ArtFest will feature an eclectic mix of paintings, sculptures, fashion, jewelry and African artifacts.

Other events include select free screenings during the week for senior citizens, a comedy night on Feb. 11 hosted by J. Anthony Brown and a fashion show on Feb. 17.

For more information, visit the festival’s website at www.paff.org.

This article originally appeared in Wave Newspapers

John W. Davis Contributing Writer

Activism

Oakland Post: Week of October 30 – November 5, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of October 30 – November 5, 2024

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Bay Area

Love Life Organization Shows Love

As part of Love Life Week, the Love Life Foundation was honored to produce the 1974-75 World Champion Golden State Warrior Day. It’s a shame that our first Bay Area World Championship team’s unique accolades had been lost in the pre social media era and the cultural revolution of the 1970s.

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Members of the 1975 NBA championship team, Charles Dudley (left) and Clifford Ray (right) embrace Love Life Foundation leader Donald Lacy for his antiviolence mission. Courtesy photo.
Members of the 1975 NBA championship team, Charles Dudley (left) and Clifford Ray (right) embrace Love Life Foundation leader Donald Lacy for his antiviolence mission. Courtesy photo.

City of Oakland Celebrates 1975 NBA World Championship Team 

By Donald Lacy

Special to The Post

 As part of Love Life Week, the Love Life Foundation was honored to produce the 1974-75 World Champion Golden State Warrior Day.

It’s a shame that our first Bay Area World Championship team’s unique accolades had been lost in the pre social media era and the cultural revolution of the 1970s.

The 1975 NBA World Championship team were invited back to the City of Oakland last Friday, to be properly celebrated for their ground-breaking performance in 1975.

The heartwarming ceremony highlighted the recent passing of the legendary coach of that team, Al Attlles, and his former players Clifford Ray and Charles Dudley were on hand to represent the “Cardiac Kids” as they were called back then for their ability to make great comeback victories during their run for the title.

Warriors great Chris Mullin and former spiritual advisor Gary Reeves gave heartfelt testimonies of their experiences under Attles’ leadership and their relationship with the inspiration they received from the NBA 1975 World Champion Golden State Warriors.

The City of Oakland provided proclamations to all parties with speeches made by city leadership including Mayor Sheng Thao and Deputy Mayor Dr. Kimberly Mayfield and activity host Love Life non-profit founder and Executive Director Donald E. Lacy Jr..

There will be a celebration of life event Nov. 9 honoring Attles’ legacy at Alameda College.

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Oakland Post: Week of October 23 – 29, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of October 23 – 29, 2024

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